Wyoming Wilderness Association honors Tom Allen and marks an anniversary October 30, 2007 during a standing-room only event at the Story Library Tuesday, Oct 30, 2007The Wyoming Wilderness Association gave their first-ever Legacy Award to whom they call a “Wilderness Hero” -- Tom Allen. The award recognizes Allen's contributions from 1972 to 1984 in building local support to help pass the 1984 Wilderness Act that eventually included over 3 million acres of wilderness. Tom Allen is a retired Biology teacher who worked in Sheridan and Buffalo for 30 years. He led many hikes that helped to map the area now known as the Cloud Peak Wilderness, and was instrumental in helping to incorporate it into the 1984 Wyoming Wilderness Act. The award was given to Allen on the 23rd anniversary of the Act being signed into law in Congress. Allen comments on his award and how he did it. Today, the Wyoming Wilderness Association is trying to achieve Wilderness status for the Rock Creek Roadless Area, which was left out of the Act in 1984 at the last minute. Senator Mike Enzi, who was a student of Allen's, is a key element in the wilderness designation, because it takes a congressional stamp of approval to create one.

Celebrating the Wyoming Wilderness Act! 23 Years...

Honoring our Wilderness Heroes —
Completing the Vision of Cloud Peak

Tuesday, October 30, 2007, 6:00pm to 8:00pm
Story Library Meeting Room, Story, Wyoming

On October 30, 1984, the Wyoming Wilderness Act was signed by Congress. Please join us to celebrate the Cloud Peak Wilderness Area we have protected today.

Longtime advocate, outdoorsman, and middle school science teacher, Tom Allen, formerly of Banner, now of the VA Nursing Home, is a Sheridan & Johnson County resident for over 30 years. Tom played a pivotal role in mapping and exploring the Cloud Peak Primitive Area for permanent protection. We will honor his efforts by presenting to Tom and his family the Wyoming Wilderness Legacy Award.